Mafia Obsession

Luca

I walk into the basement, a knife in my hand, knowing I have to do this for my brother. He’s changed these last couple of days. A man like me, I never spend much time thinking about love. Sure, I want a family one day, but I’m too much of a dog. Not my big brother. His life was as gray as the streaks in his hair, but Scarlet’s brought color into it.

Russel cringes when he sees me. He’s got dried blood on the side of his head. His arms are covered in it, too. I don’t feel any pity. Men like Elio and I learn to switch off those parts of ourselves when we need to. It’s not that we’re less human. We’re just better at pretending we’re not when we need to.

“I’ve been asking around about you,” I tell him, walking across the room.

I don’t enjoy the way he flinches with each step. I don’t dislike it either. It’s entirely neutral to me. The life is the life; that’s all. A man, if he’s worth anything at all, has to take action. Scarlet asked for less darkness, but I saw that look in my big brother’s eyes. I saw the devil. He won’t be able to stop himself. He cares about his lady too deeply.

Kneeling down, I rip the duct tape from Russel’s mouth.

“You had me fooled. Or maybe I wanted to be fooled. I wanted to believe my old man still knew what he was doing. You took advantage of that.” I trail the knife up his neck. He shudders. “But I’ve learned a lot these last few hours. We found some videos of our own.”

He screams when I drive the knife into his knee hard, fucking him up badly. He might bleed out. I lost my temper.

“I saw what you did to those women,” I growl, twisting the blade. “There are wolves and sheepdogs, you little bitch, but you’re neither. You’re meat on a bone. I could happily beat you to death, but you’re going to prison, and everybody in there is going to know what sort of monster you are. They’re going to eat you alive.”

I twist the blade, wrench it loose, then headbutt him. I’m not lying about the videos. Russel is into some really sick shit, far worse than blackmailing Mom.

Standing up and turning away from him before I get carried away, I leave the basement and nod to Matteo. He must’ve heard something.

“Let’s go with Plan B,” I tell him. “Get Russel to the hospital. Make sure the cops know about it. Make sure the Marino name is kept out of it.”

Matteo is already walking toward the basement stairs before I’m even done talking. That’s how it works in the Family. We do the right thing, even if our methods are a thousand shades of fucked up.

Walking into the garden, I light a cigarette. It’s a bad habit. Elio doesn’t even know I’ve picked it up again. I smoke, letting my head clear. I’ve got blood on my hand, spatters of it. The night is dark, but no lights switch on. Nobody else heard what I did to that scumbag. Picking up my cell phone, I text my brother. Are you awake?

A minute later, he responds. Yeah, but I’m busy. Is it important?

That makes me smile. There was a time when, day or the middle of the night, Elio would drop whatever he was doing if I texted him. That’s because he was only ever working, and we mainly discussed work. It’s good to think of him as busy with his woman.

What we talked about… a little less darkness. It’s done. You don’t have to think about it anymore.

I’m wondering if he’s pissed as I wait for his reply. I could see the violent intent in his eyes. He was ready to tear that lowlife to pieces. My phone vibrates-a new message.

Thank you, brother.

Scarlet

I think this is going well, I text Elio, looking at him across the restaurant. As he stands at the bar of the restaurant where I used to work, I have to remind myself that we made it. It’s been three days since the police arrested Russel in the hospital. Initially, my man told me they would keep Russel for weeks.

“Luca did me a favor. He found some dirt on Russel. Something so bad, it doesn’t matter what he says now. With me as don, even if that piece of filth tried to leak something, I’d keep the city in check.”

There have been no leaks, though. From the darkness in my man’s eyes when he talks about Russel, I know there’s lots he’s not telling me. I know my Elio did violent, bloody things to that man to protect me.

Elio reaches into the pocket of his silver suit jacket, reads the text message, and smirks over at me. He’s mine. We’ve said I love you so many times I’ve lost count. The first time we had sex, it was shocking and crazy, and I was struggling to believe I could be everything my man wanted me to be. Now, there’s no doubt.

I’m surprised, honestly, he texts, leaning against the bar, looking so stylish and confident and mine. Even Dad looks like he’s having a good time.

Looking across the table at Luca smirking at his blond date, Mom sitting beside Alessia, and Leo with a soft smile on his face, I remind myself how lucky I am- how lucky we are. Russel and his Shanks almost ruined our lives, but we fought for the Family, for family, period.

Terri approaches, a grin on her face. “How may I serve the lady?” she says, then leans down and whispers, “I’m so happy for you. You both look over the moon to be together.”

I touch her hand. “We are, but don’t think I’m all high and mighty now just because I’m on this side of the table. I’ll always be a waitress at heart.”

“No, girl,” Terri says confidently, picking up a plate. “You’ve always been destined for greater things. Don’t think I haven’t heard you singing when you think nobody’s listening. Maybe you don’t even know you’re doing it, but I know you’re going places.”

I smile and touch her arm. You’re a mafia queen now, Elio texts me from the bar. Don’t feel guilty about that.

How can you read me from all the way over there, hmm?

He smirks. I can read you just through texting. Don’t be so shocked, beautiful.

“Look at you two,” Alessia says, a big smile on her face. “Like two excited little doves.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Mom, did you just call Elio a dove?” Luca says, chuckling.

She beams. “I called him little, too. That’s the thing about motherhood, Luca. No matter how old your children get, they’re always little. They’re always tiny. They always need you.”

Tears press against my eyes, trying to fall. She’s taken my broodiness to another level. Every time Elio and I make love, I lie there with my hand on my belly, wondering, hoping.

“She’s right, though.” Luca grins over. I know what he did for his brother. I hope when Elio and I have children, they’re as close as he and Luca. “You

two are almost making me think love is possible. That’s a psychopathic achievement right there.”

His date laughs, but I can see there’s no real love between them. Or maybe that’s judgmental of me. It’s not like every relationship can start with the thunderbolt of need that began ours. It’s not like I can expect everybody else to know instantly when they see their man.

Suddenly, everybody is looking at me like they’re expecting something. My phone vibrates in my pocket. Across the restaurant-what the hell-Elio is on one knee, looking at me. The whole restaurant has gone quiet.

“Check your phone,” Alessia whispers, tears in her eyes.

I take it out and go to my texts. There’s a message from Elio. Will you marry me?

I spring out of the chair. I’ve thrown my phone by accident. “Yes,” I cry, no embarrassment at all. It’s like everybody else has disappeared. My man is rushing across the restaurant.

He sweeps me into his arms and spins me around. My whole universe is spinning. A song soars in my heart. I never knew happiness like this could exist. I never knew I could experience it.

“Wait, the ring.” Elio chuckles, taking my hand and slipping it onto my finger. It’s a large, beautiful diamond in a silver band. It glistens on my finger. Elio leans in and kisses me. I can feel the hunger in him, the desire to make the kiss deeper, more real, but he’s holding back. He doesn’t want to let himself go in front of everybody.

“Oh my God, Leo!”

We all turn. Leo has my phone in his hand. “Did he catch it?” Luca says, in shock.

Elio steps forward. “Dad?”

Slowly, a smile spreads across Leo’s face.